Automatic catching device for well tubing



y s. v. DILLON AUTOMATIC CATCHING DEVICE FOR WELL TUBING Filed Feb. a, 11926 Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES STEPHEN V. DILLON, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

AUTOMATIC CATCHING DEVICE FOR WELL TUBING.

Application led February 8, 1926. Serial No. 86,846.

This invention relates to a device that is adapted to be used for catching a well tubing and preventing said tubing from dropping downwardly into the well in the event the tubing separates or becomes detached from its supporting means, due to breakage or to any other cause.

One object of my invention is to provide a catching device for well tubing that is automatic in its action both when the device is being introduced into the well and after it has been set, and which is of such design that the parts of same are not liable to break or to be rendered inoperative by corrosion or the accumulation of wax or other foreign matter on said parts.

Another object is to provide an automatic catching device for well tubing which is of such design that it overcomes the necessity of arranging a string of pipe below the perforated strainer through which the liquid Ienters the tubing in instances where the strainer is located a lconsiderable distance above the bottom of the well.

Another object is to provide a catching device for well tubing which is of such design that after it has been set it will not produce wear on the tubingor on the well casing,

notwithstanding the fact that the jaws are there in engagement with the casing, but nevertheless, will permit the tubing to move longitudinally slightly. In'the event of an accident, a collar or abutment on the tubing will strike against a member that causes the pressure of the jaws or gripping members on the well casing to be increased suiiiciently to insure the device effectively catching and holding the tubing.7 l

Another object is to provide a catching device' for well tubing which is so constructed and arranged that' after it has been set, the tubing can be easily raised or lowered to vary the position of the strainer or perforated pipe on the tubing without disengaging the gripping jaws from the casing or side wall of the well.

And still another object of my invention is to provide a catching device for well tubing that is operative at all times .to automatically catch the tubing and prevent it from dropping into the well, both'when the device is being introduced into the well and after it has been set, but which is of 'such design that it can be easily installed or removed. Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

To this end I have devised a catcher or catching device for well tubing that is adapted to be arranged at the lower end of the well and which is provided with jaws or gripping members which are so constructed and arranged that a sudden drop of the tubing during the operation of introducing the device into the well, causes said jaws or gripping members to be automatically wedged tightly enough against the well casing to sustain the weight of the tubing, and after the device has been set the jaws of same 'O'rip the casing tightly and are so arranged that the pressure of same on the casing will be increased automatically in the event the tubing starts to drop. The device is inexpensive to construct; it is easy to install or remove; it is of suliciently rugged construction to insure its rem ming in operative condition at all times, and as the device overcomes the necessity of arranging a string of pipe below the strainer, it eliminates many objections and problems that result from the use of a'string of' pipe below the strainer of a well tubing.

Fi ure 1 of the drawings is a side elevationa view, partly in vertical section, of a catcher or catching device for well tubing constructed in accordance withmy invention, illustrating the method of arranging the device in operative position in the casing of the well.

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the de- `vice arranged in operative engagement with the well casing and in readiness to catch the,

tubing and arrest the downward movement of same in the event the tubing separates or becomes disconnected from its, sustaining means.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred form ofgmy invention, A designates the casing of d' well and B designates the well tubing through which the liquid roduced in the well is forced up to the surace of the ground by a conventional pump vthe tubing by means of coupling collars 2 and 3, a plurality of serrated jaws or gripping members 4 that are adapted to engage the inside of the well casing A, and a wedgeshaped actuating member 5 loosely mounted on the tubular guide 1 and adaptedto move longitudinally relatively to said guide so as to cause the gripping jaws 4 to be wedged tightly against the well casing. The jaws 4 are connected by means of links 6 or `other suitable devices with a loose collar 7 that surrounds the tubular guide 1, and a supporting member 8 is arranged below the collar 7 so as to sustain the same and cause the gripping jaws 4 to remain at rest relativelyI to the actuating member 5 during the operation of setting the device. Said supporting member 8 consists of a sleeve that loosely surrounds the tubular guide 1, and said supporting member is provided on its exterior with springs 9 or other suitable friction devices that are adapted to bear against the well casing A and prevent the supporting member 8 from turning with the tubular guide member 1 or moving longitudinally with said guide member, in the operation of set-- ting the device 1n operative positlon 1n the.

well casing. The tubular guide 1 is provided with two rigid collars 10 and 10, both ofwhich are of such diameter that they can move longitudinally through the supporting member 8, and the collar 10a`is provided with laterally-projecting pins 11 which are adapted to be positioned either in engagement with the upper end of the supporting member 8 or in elongated, verticallydisposed slots 12 in the supporting member. In said preferred form of my invention, as herein illustrated, the catcher is provided with four serrated jaws or gripping'members 4'arranged symmetrically around the a'ctuating member 5 in sliding engagement with four inclined surfaces or wedges 13 on said actuating member, said wedges having dovetail-shaped, vertically-disposed ribs 14 that fit in correspondently-shaped groovesy in the innerl sides of the gripping jaws 4. At the upper end of the 'actuating member 5 is an integral, externally screw-threaded collar 15 which is adapted to be engaged by a. fishing `device in the event the threads of the top coupling collar 2 strip,

After the catcher has been combined with the well tubing by means of the coupling collars 2 and 3 at the upper and lower ends of the tubular guide l, the tubing is movedl downwardly into the well, as shown in Figner surface of the casing.

ure 1. At this time the supporting member 8 is inactive and is sustained by the bottom coupling collar 3, the actuating member 5 is sustained by the rigid collar 10 on the tubular guide 1, the loose collar 7 to which the gripping jaws 4 'are connected is sustained by the laterally-projecting pins 11 on the rigid collar 10, and the pins 11 are in engagement with the upper end of the supporting member 8. The collars 10 and to be moved ldownwardly through the well casing without causing the gripping jaws to exert undue fri'ctionon the casing. If the well tubing should separate or become acci-n dentally disconnected from its` sustaining means, during the operation of positioning thecatcher in the well, the tubing, actuating member 5 and supporting member 8 woul v start to move downwardly with greater speed than the parts 4 and `7 which yaction would result in the gripping jaws 4 being automatically forced outwardly into vsutliciently snug engagement with the well casing to cause the actuating member 5 to act as an abutment that arrests the downward,

movement of the well tubing when the top coupling collar 2 strikes against the upper end of the actuating member 5. This action results from the fact that the well tubing and actuating member 5, being of greater weight than the gripping jaws 4 and collar 7, traveldownwardly at a greater speed than said jaws, and thus cause the actuating member 5, which is then sustained by the rigid collar 10,'to move longitudinally relatively to the gripping jaws, whereupon the wedges 13 on said actuating member expand the gripping jaws or wedge them tightly against the in- It will thus be seen that in a well tube catcher of the construction above described` there is no danger of the tubing dropping into the well inthe eventk itbreaks away from its supporting means during the operation of settin catcher in the casing, because the cate er is constructed in such a manner that downward movement of the tubing and the actuating member 5 relatively to the gripping jaws causes said jaws to be automatically wedged tightly against the well casing. j

Ordinarily the catcher will move downwardly through the well casing with the the way as to cause the gripping jaws to be forced into snug engagement with the well casing. This is effected by first rotating the well tubing B slightly so asto arrange the laterally-projecting pins 11 on the collar 10il inalignment with the upper ends of the elongated slots 12 in the supporting member 8, and then moving the tubing downwardly into the position shown in Fig- -ure 2 so as todisengage the collar 10 from the actuating member. lVhen the tubing is rotated, as above described, the supporting member 8 remains at rest, or does not turn with the tubing, due to the frictional engagement of the springs 9 on said supporting member against the inner surface of the well casing and after the pins 11 on the slightly, and then moved downwardly, thus carrying the collar 10 on the tubular member 1 out of engagement with the lower end of the actuating member 5, said actuating member will move longitudinally with relation, to the gripping jaws 4 and force said jaws tightly againsty the well casing, the downward movement of the well tubing being stopped after the top coupling collar 2 has reached a position slightly above the upper end of the actuating member 5, as shown in Figure 2. If the tubing should separate or become accidentally disconnected from its sustaining means, after the catcher has been set in its operative position, as shown in Figure 2, the tubing would start to move downwardly, but as soon as the top coupling collar 2 strikes against the upper end of the actuating member 5, the entire weight of the tubing will be exerted on said actuating member in -a directiontending to wedge the gripping jaws 4 tightly against the well casing. Consequently, after.

the catcher has been set in'operative position in the well, it is always in readiness to automatically catch the tubing and sustain the weight of same in the event of an accident that results in the tubing separating or becoming accidentally disconnected from the means that normally'sustain the tubing in the well. If, after the catcher has been set in operative position in the well, it becomes necessary to raise or lower the tubing slightl this can be accomplished Awithout disturbing the jaws of the catcher or disconnecting said jaws from the well casing. due to the fact that the tubular guiding member 1 of the device has a loose fit in 'the actuating member 5, in the collar 7 and inthe supporting member 8, and the top coupling collar -2 and igid collar 10 on the tubular member 1 are spaced far enough apart to permit of a slight longitudinal movement of the well tubing, without causing said collars 2 and 10 to strike against the ends of the actuating member 5. When the catcher is to be removed from the Well, this can be accomplished quickly and easily by raising the well tubing so asl to cause the rigid collar 10 on the tubular guide member 1 to strike against the lower end of the actuating member 5 and move it upwardly, thereby releasing the gripping jaws 4 from engagement with the linner surface of the well casing.

A well tubing catcher of the construction above described is sufficientlyl strong and rugged to successfully withstand the rough usage and strains to which such devices are subjected; the parts of same are not apt to be rendered inoperative by corrosion or the accumulation of` wax or other foreign,` matter; it is always in readiness to automatically catch and effectively hold the well tubing, both in the .operation of positioning the catcher in the well and after the catcher has been set in the desired position; it will not cause wear on the lwell casing or on the well tubing; it permits the tubing to be raised or lowered to change the position of the strainer without disturbing the position of the jaws of the catcher, and as it overcomes the necessity of arranging a string of pipe below the perforated strainer ofthe well tubing, it enables a pumping well to be" maintained in operative condition-with minimum trouble and expense.

It will be observed that the parts 7 and 8 form tubular means, and that the parts 4. 6 and 7 lnake up a slip assembly. Furthermore, the sleeve 8 and the friction springs 9 constitute, an auxiliary actuating member provided with friction means. In some of the appended claims, these parts will be referred to by such terms.

lVhile 'I have0 described Athe device as beine' used in a well that is equipped with a caiing, it will be obvious that the device is 1 capable ofbeingiised with an uncased well, and that when used in this manner, the gripping jaws of the device act directly on the side wall of the well.

Having thus described my invent-ion, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A catching device for well tubing, comprising a guide that forms a section of the tubing, an actuating member `adapted to move longitudinally of said guide, gripping jaws adapted to be forced against the casing by said actuating member, means on said guide for sustaining said actuating meniber and jaws during the operation of iii-- CII troducing the device into the well, construct .ed so that a sudden drop of thel tubing gripping jaws that co-operate with said actuatlng member, means on said guide for holding said actuating member and jaws in inactive relationship during the operation of introducing the device into the well, constructed so lthat a sudden drop of the tubing causes the actuating member tov force the jaws tightly against the casing, and an independent means adapted to frictionally engage the well casing so as to prevent said jaws from moving longitudinally withsaid actuating member when said member is being o erated to set the device in the well.

3. catching device for well tubing, comprising gripping jaws, an actuating member arranged so thatvit is capable of moving longitudinally relatively to the tubing, means carried by the tubing for maintaining said jaws and actuating member in an inactive relationship during the operation ot introducing thedevice into the 'well, constructed sov that a sudden drop of the tubing causes said actuating member to force the jaws tightly. againstathe casing, andan independent means that is inactive during the oper-ationof introducing the device and which is provided with-friction elements that co-operate with the casing to effect` the gripping of the jaws on the casing during the olperation of setting the device.

4. catching device for well tubing, comprising a guide that ,forms a section of the tubing, anactuating member adapted to move longitudinally of the guide, gripping` jaws that co-operate with .said kactuating member, means on said guide for holding said jaws and actuating member in an inactive relations-bi during the operation of introducing the cvice into the well, constructed so that a sudden drop of the tubing renders said jaws o erative, a supporting member von saidgui e provided with frictionelements that are adapted vto engage the well casing, and a means for holding saidsupporting member in an inactive condition during the operation of introducing the device, constructed so thaty aslight rotary movement of the tubing lcauses said supporting member to become operative.

5. 'A catchingdevice for well tubing, commove with the guide during the operation ofintroducing the device, constructed sol that it will be rendered inoperative by a slight rotary movement of the tubing after the device has reached the position in which it is to be set. i

6. A catching device for Well tublng, consisting ot a tubular guide member that forms a section of the well tubing, a4 pair of spaced stops combined with said guide member, a tapered actuating member loosely mounted on saidlguide member and adapted to move longitudinally ot' same, gripplng jaws that are adapted to be forced tightly against the well casing or side Wall of the wel] by the longitudinal movement of said actuating member in one direction, and a means carried by said guide for preventing relative longitudinal movement of said gripping jaws and actuating member during the operation ot introducing the device into the well, constructed so as to cause said actuating device to move longitudinally and render said jaws operative in the event the tubing starts to drop during the operation of introducing the device into the well.

7. A catching device for well tubing, comprising a tubular guide member that forms a secton of the welltubing,'spaced stops .combined with said member, a tapered acion ment of said actuating member in one direction, a rigidcollar on the guide member that sustains said actuating member during the operation of introducing the device into the well, a loose collar on said guide member joined to said jaws, anda supporting member below said loose collar sustained by one of said stops duringthe operation of introducing the device into the well` and provided with elements that are adapted to frictionally engage the casing or side wall of the well during the operation of setting the device.

8. A catching device vfor well tubing, comprising a tubular guide member that forms a section of the well tubing, spaced stops combined with said member, a tapered actuating melnber loosely mounted on said guide member andadapt-ed to move longitudinally of\same, gripping jaws adapted to be actuated by longitudinal movement of said actuating member in one direction, a

rigid collar on the guide member that sus-v joined to said jaws, a supporting member y below said loose collar adapted to be sustained by one of said stops during the operation of introducing the device into the well, and provided with elements that are adapted t-o frictionally engage the casing or side wall of the well during the operation of setting the device, a second rigid collar on said guide member arranged below said loose collar, and a laterally-projecting pin on said second collar for the purpose described.

9. A catching device for'well tubing, consisting of a tubular guide memberl that forms a section of the well tubing, coupling collars arranged at the upper and lower ends of said guide member, a tapered actuating device loosely mounted' on said guide member and adapted to move longitudinally of same, serrated gripping jaws arranged on the outside of said actuating member and adapted to be forced tightly against the casing or side wall of the well by longitudinal movement of said actuating member in one diraction, a riUid collar on said guide member that sustains said actuating member during the operation of introducing the device into the well, a loose collar on the guide member connected by links to said jaws, a supporting member loosely mounted on the guide member above the bottom coupling collar and provided with elements which are ada ted to co-operate with the well casing to ho d said supporting member against movement during the operation of setting the device, and a second rigid collar on the guide member provided with a laterally-projecting pin that is adapted to engage the upper end of the supporting member when the device is being introduced and enter an elongated slot 1n .said supporting member and move downwardly through same when the device is being set.

10. A catching device for 'well tubing, consisting of a tubular guide member that forms a section of the tubing, coupling collars at the upper and lower ends of said guide meinber, a tapered actuating member loosely mounted on said guide member and adapted to move longitudinally of the same, grippin jaws arranged in sliding engagement witli said actuating member means on said guide member that sustain said actuating member and gripping jaws and prevent relative movement of same during the operation of introducing the device into the well, and an independent supporting means for 'the gripping jaws that is adapted to temporarily sustain the same during the operation of settingthe device and prevent said jaws from moving relatively to the actuating inei'iiber when said actuating member is moved intentionally in a direction to force said jaws into engagement with the casing or side wall of the well.

11. A catching device for wel tubing, consisting of a tubular guide member that forms one section of thel well tubing, coupling collars at the upper and lower ends of Said member, an actuating device mounted on said guide member so that it can move longitudinally of the saine and provided at its upper end with an externally-screw-threaded collar, wedges on said actuating member, serrated gripping jaws combined with said wedges so as to move longitudinally .of same, a loose collar on the guide member connected by links with said jaws, a supporting member loosely mounted on the guide member below said loose collar and provided with frictional gripping elements that are adapted to engage the casing or side wall of the well. a rigid collar on said guide member that sustains said 'actuating' member during the operation of introducing the device into the well, a second rigid collar on said guide member provided with laterally-projecting pins that are positioned between said loose collar and the upper end of said supporting member during the operation of introducing the device in the well, and elongated, vertically-disposed slots in said supporting member that are 4adapted to receive Said pins and permit the guide member to move longitudi-y nally of said supporting member when the device is being set in the well so as to cause the actuating member to render the gripping jaws operative.

12. The combination'with a well casin and tubing therein, of a tubing catcher sli able axially on the tubing and including an actuating member, a slip assembly an an auxiliary actuating member provided with' friction means, said slip assembly including gripping jaws adapted to be forced against the casing by the first mentioned actuating member, the slip assembly being lighter in .weight than the rst mentioned actuating auxiliary actuating member in a fixed osition on thetubing, or to permit the tu ing to slide axially relatively to the auxiliary member.

`13. The combination with a well casing and tubing therein, of a tubing catcher surrounding the tubing and loosely mounted on the latter to permit the tubing to reciprocate while the catcher is anchored in position in the casing, said catcher including tubular means, gripping jaws, a Wedgeshaped actuating member and friction means, a part of the tubular means being operatively connected to the gripping jaws, and another part of the tubular means operatively connected to the friction means, said friction means engaging the casing for holding the tubular means and gripping jaws in a fixed position while the Wedge-shaped actuating member forces the gripping jaws intol engagement with the casing.

14. The combination with a Well casing and tubing therein, of a tubing catcher arranged between the tubing and the casing and adapted to form an abutment to catch the tubing in case of accidental drop of the tubing, said catcher including a Wedgeposition in the casing, and gripping jaws.

(-iperatively connected to the tubular means and engaging the Wedge-shaped actuating member, said gripping jaws being held in engagement with the casing by said actuating member.

STEPHEN V. DILLON. 

